staying off site at DL

[Tarheel girl 1975]

So we're not planning a trip to DL for a while but there definitely is one in our future. Going to DL was my first Disney trip and we stayed at DLH (which was the only hotel then.) I always just assumed we'd stay on site if we ever went again, but I've been reading this board and am very intrigued by the idea of staying off site. It's so much cheaper, we would be able to go sooner. Now I would never stay off-site at WDW because it seems like too much hassle. How hard is it to stay off site at DL? What would we be missing? These probably sound like very basic questions, but thanks for all the help.

 

[LucyDingo]

My staying offsite...

You could potentially miss out on some magic mornings. Although I know you can get at least one magic morning if you get a 3-day hopper and more.

I'm sure there are other things you might miss...but I wouldn't know because I've only stayed offsite at DL.

There are a lot of hotels within walking distance to both parks and downtown Disney. And by walking distance, I mean...10 minutes from your room to the turnstiles. Sometimes I bit closer, sometimes a bit farther. Depends on the hotel.

You obviously won't get that Disney atmosphere if you're offsite...but you more than likely won't be in your room much anyway.

 

[ron808]

It is affordable. There is no doubt about it.

Check your itenerary and your plans.

We always opt for a nearby hotel off site. Why? We only use the hotel to bathe, sleep, nap and have midnight snacks. We rarely stay there.

It will not be practical to book a more expensive room without it being utilized.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Ditto what ron808 said! I would much rather stay off site and spend the extra money at Disneyland. I'm only in the room to sleep, shower and change and away we go again. We always stay at Park Vue Inn which is directly across the street from the entrance. It's a closer walk than from the Disneyland Hotel!

 

[HydroGuy]

The advantages of on-site at DLR are not nearly as much as at WDW. Depending on your off-site hotel choice it is very easy to stay off-site.
There are some useful links in this thread.

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[bumbershoot]

The only reason we stayed onsite is because the first time we thought we really should, and last time it was because the AP rate at PPH was barely more than what the offsite hotels were charging for that weekend.

We do enjoy having all the Magic Mornings during our stay available to us. And we liked our special upgrade that we randomly got on our last stay.

But other than that, offsite at Disneyland is absolutely great. We've really enjoyed HoJo and Anabella, though Anabella is a bit of a walk. Walking out of the parks and going all the way to HoJo is really not far at all, someday I'll have to really time things, but I would say walking out of a park and getting to DLH probably takes the same time. Sure, if you're already in Tomorrowland near the monorail, you might get to DLH quicker (though there's still a walk after the monorail), or at least without all the walking, but how often are you already in Tomorrowland when you want to get back?

Offsite at DLR is great! Oh, and walking along the park side of Harbor Blvd down to HoJo, you can hear the music from Disneyland.

 

[kaoden39]

Here is a website that lists the offsite hotels, motels, restaraunts and such.
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

 

[abouley]

Here are my thoughts:

If you go during a time of year that you might swim, staying on-site is nice for the pools. Although HoJo's has a new play area that looks cool for the kids!

Also, I like walking through downtown disney on my way to and from the parks! It's more of a pain to go through bag check to get to downtown disney if you stay off-site.

Walk is almost shorter off-site to some of the hotels than on-site. We don't tend to use the monorail because we have a stroller to deal with.

Don't get the early entry every morning it's offered off-site but will get one with the park hopper.

Cheap/conveneint options for eating off-site but places tend to be kind of crowded.

We tend to stay off-site...for the money I think it's the way to go although we have enjoyed staying on-site a few times on Annual Pass deals!

Alison